Beltran, Outfield Decision Looming Large

We're now just 5 days away from Sunday's MLB trade deadline, and like I said in our last post, it appears to be a 2-team race for the services of Carlos Beltran. The two favored teams happen to be starting a crucial 3-game set tonight vs. each other, and by the end of it, I'd be willing to bet that on either Philly or San Fran will make a move to grab Beltran.

There is the rumor floating out there that the Braves could be in the running as well, but they'd probably jump in only if Philly or the Giants can't get a deal done and the price for Beltran drops. Either way, their is no reason for the Mets to hang onto him at this point. If they keep him and offer him arbitration, he could take them to court and win $18-20 million bucks for 2012, though chances of him not landing a multi-year deal with someone after this season he's had isn't likely. So if it came down to it, would the Giants eat the salary and sweeten the pot with a prospect like Francisco Peguero or Thomas Neal? I'm starting to think they just might be. I've been saying all along this team is definitely good enough, as is, to win their division, just because the Rockies are having an off-year and the Dodgers are a mess. It would be a dissapointment if they didn't win this division. But the point of adding Beltran isn't to help him get you to the playoffs, it's to help you win it all, and that's what Sabean should be focusing on right now. We've mentioned B.J. Upton here a few times as well, but he's going to cost more in trade than Beltran and isn't as effective right now in his career as the Mets outfielder. Upton would still improve this teams offense by bringing in power and speed as well as providing a 26 year-old all-star to build an outfield around, but the Giants don't need another sub-.250 hitter in their lineup and that's where Upton's at right now. The more I look at the Giants situation and the trade market, the more Beltran's starting to make sense. We can't forget that if the Giants don't get him, another NL contender will and be that much tougher in October!

On the field, as I said, the Giants are taking on these vary Phillies in a match-up of last years NLCS and you know that Philly will be hungry for some payback and the fans will be wild. If you thought the Brewers/Giants series over the weekend was exciting, fasten your seat belts for these next three cause they're bound to be nail-biters. Unfortunately, the Giants got some bad news right off the bat, as ace Tim Lincecum was scratched from Friday's start and replaced by Barry Zito due to a flu. So Zito will have the honers of taking on bright young right-hander Vance Worley, and this is going to be a huge test for Barry. Jonathan Sanchez is pretty much through with his rehab work and rearing for a chance to get back on the mound for the Giants, and if Zito bombs tonight, it could happen sooner than later. There was speculation that Sanchez would re-join the Giants in relief if Zito kept his strong pitching up, but Sanchez has worked as a starter during his assignment which tells me the Giants indeed plan to return him to their rotation. Luckily for Zito, most all of Philly's thump comes from the left-side of the plate, so he won't be totally exposed out there, but this 83 mph fastball paired with that live yard doesn't bode well on paper. Offensively, the Giants need some production out of that bottom of the lineup if they're going to keep up with Philly's offense. Their 6-7-8 hitters for Tuesday are hitting a combined .236!

Trade Talk: Besides the pursuit of Carlos Beltran, things have been pretty quiet on the Giants rumor front. Surprisingly, I haven't heard them asking about any catchers or shortstops, both areas where the Giants are sorely below league average. They may be banking on Mark DeRosa returning and playing 2nd while moving Keppinger to short, but I sure hope they're not pining hopes on a guy who's spent the last 2 seasons on the shelf. I know the catching market isn't booming with potential targets, but I don't know if I can put up with another 2 months of Whiteside's soft hitting and overrated throwing arm. I think personally think Miguel Olivo's 14 home runs and 45 RBI would look beautiful in the 7th or 8th spot in San Francisco without missing a beat behind the plate.